West Virginia voting deadlines for the November 3, 2026 election

West Virginia voter registration closes Oct 13 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.

Look up your own ballot and polling place →

Every date

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Voter registration deadline (online, by mail and in person)

Online registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026 (21 days before). Mailed applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026. If the postmark is missing or cannot be read, the application still counts if the county clerk receives it by Friday, Oct 16, 2026. In person at the county clerk's office or Secretary of State's office by close of business Oct 13, 2026.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026
Early voting

Early in-person voting begins Wednesday, Oct 21, 2026 at the county courthouse, annex or designated community voting location. Early in-person voting ends Saturday, Oct 31, 2026. No excuse needed. Normal business hours on weekdays, plus 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the last two Saturdays (Oct 24 and Oct 31). Locations set by each county.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Last day to request a mail ballot

Absentee ballot application must be RECEIVED by the county clerk by Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026 (6th day before). Submit by mail, fax, email or in person. Absentee by mail requires a qualifying reason.

Monday, November 9, 2026
Mail ballot return deadline

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov 3) and received by the county clerk by the start of canvass, Monday Nov 9, 2026. A mailed ballot received by Wednesday, Nov 4 is accepted even without a postmark. Hand-delivered ballots must reach the clerk by Monday, Nov 2.

How voting works in West Virginia

Absentee voting by mail is excuse-based in West Virginia (see SOS eligibility list); early in-person voting is open to all. Emergency absentee voting runs Oct 27 - noon Nov 3 for limited circumstances.

What we could not confirm

We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:

Where these came from

Every date above was read from the West Virginia election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.

https://code.wvlegislature.gov/3-2-6/

Voter registration before an election closes on the 21st day before the election or on the first day thereafter which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday at (1) 11:59 p.m. for online registration

https://sos.wv.gov/absentee-voting-information

The absentee ballot application must be received in your county clerk's office by the 6th day before each election. Applications may be submitted to your county clerk via fax, U.S. mail, email, or in-person by hand delivery.

https://sos.wv.gov/govotewv

November 4, 2026 — Absentee Ballots without Postmark Accepted November 9, 2026 — Absentee Ballots Postmarked by Election Day Accepted

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